I really wanted this book, Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space, for Christmas after my friend Maureen told me about it. She is making over her dining room into the ideal quilting area for herself and found some ideas and inspiration within Lois Hallock's 96 pages.
I was surprised at the detail provided and the emphasis on ergonomics and the work triangle. Lois extracts principles from industry with regards to efficiency and production and incorporates those into her quilt studio makeovers. There are specific height measurements for sewing tables, cutting surfaces, and pressing stations, customized to one's own body, which I think will be very helpful to keep in mind to avoid fatigue and pain. I already have my tables on wood planks to raise them, as well as an adjustable drafting chair, but I am curious if I have achieved the right heights compared to the ideal. My first step is to get hubby to measure the distances as I stand and sit at my stations.
There are many tips and suggestions regarding the studio location in the home, lighting, storage (very specific), and then how to design and implement the room changes. The second half of the book shares real studio makeovers, from simple and inexpensive to a complete garage renovation. While I feel my workspace is well suited to my needs, there are plenty of ideas I can take away. From making sure my heights are appropriate to fine tuning my storage solutions, I'm sure I can implement some great changes to the space. Some things I can't, or don't need to, change (like the location and built in cabinets) but I think I should be purging and re-organizing all the craft tools and supplies I have crammed in the room. The best part of keeping things organized, and Ms. Hallock points this out, is that there is more room for new fabric, books, and tools!
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